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State Legislatures Magazine: February 2002

Editor's Note: This article appeared in the February 2002 issue of NCSL's magazine, State Legislatures. To order copies or to subscribe, contact the marketing department at (303) 364-7700.

Despite War, Another Round of Base Closures Looms

Although the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and subsequent war in Afghanistan have focused national attention on the U.S. military, Congress approved another round of base closures. And states are lining up to respond with a vigorous no.

A total of 97 bases were closed in four rounds from 1988 through 1995, saving the government $15.5 billion; a fifth round is projected to save an additional $3.5 billion a year by 2010.

But Alaska, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and South Carolina are among the states concerned that their bases may end up on the chopping block, and they are mounting efforts to fight back.

Alaska Representative Eldon Mulder, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Military Bases, says the Legislature may hire outside counsel to track the federal legislation. "Alaska is different from the lower 48 states in that local communities 'disappear' when the base or post is closed. There are no industries to fill the void when a base closes. For example, when the Adak military base closed, the whole community died."

Oklahoma, home to five military installations that have survived four rounds of realignment and closures since 1988, is taking no chances that its luck will hold. The Legislature created a task force to recommend ways to stop closure or downsizing of the state's military fa- cilities, maximize state input into the process, protect the interests of nearby communities and residents, and assist in relocation of responsibilities from out-of-state bases to Oklahoma bases. Should all else fail, the task force will develop methods to ensure a closing base's market value is fair.

"We've got to get out in front before it happens," says Senator Ted Fisher. "When you have a significant military presence, you've got to be thinking about it before a bad call is made."

Illinois also wants to be ready. The General Assembly has appropriated $1.5 million to ensure that the state presents a unified front to keep all facilities off closure lists if possible and to provide a smooth transition to private use for any sites removed from military service.

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